OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma City offered to become the home of the New Orleans Hornets this season following the devastation by Hurricane Katrina.
Mayor Mick Cornett acknowledged Friday that a Louisiana site would be the obvious choice for the Hornets. But he suggested Oklahoma City's Ford Center, which does not have a major league tenant, as an option.
"We could be the temporary home for the team and we're available if that makes sense to the city of New Orleans," Cornett said.
Hornets general manager Allan Bristow said no decision had been made on where the team would play.
Baton Rouge, La., could be a possibility. The city is home to LSU's Pete Maravich Assembly Center, which seats more than 14,000.
The Hornets open their preseason schedule Oct. 13 at Denver's Pepsi Center against the Nuggets. The Hornets will hold at least the first two weeks of training camp at the Air Force Academy in Colorado.